Textile tape condensers



Marbh 9, 1965 J. CROWTHER 3,172,164

TEXTILE TAPE CONDENSERS Filed Feb. 5, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVE/V TOR TosEfH CROWI'HEK A TTOR/VE) March 9, 1965 J. CROWTHER TEXTILE TAPE CONDENSERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 5. 1962 /NVE/VTOR JOSEPH CROWTHER By M W;

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,172,164 TEXTILE TAPE CONDENSERS Joseph Crowther, 26 Gillroyd Terrace, Morley, near Leeds, York, England Filed Feb. 5, 1962, Ser. No. 170,947 6 Claims. (Cl. 19-151) The purpose of a textile tape condenser is to divide an advancing carded web of fibres into a series of strips, each of which is carried by one of the tape sections, and to present the strips to rubbers which impart the necessary degree of rounding to the individual strips to convert them into slubbings. The actual dividing of the web is achieved by arranging adjacent tape sections so that one tape section is above the advancing web whilst the other is below the web, and causing the adjacent tape sections to follow crossing paths in which the tape above the web descends whilst that below the web ascends thereby producing a scissors action on the web.

Reference has been made to tape sections to describe the run of tape which deals with one strip of web and this terminology will be employed throughout the specification. Sometimes a tape condenser has a separate endless tape for each strip of web, sometimes one tape deals with two strips (the so called figure eight arrangement) and sometimes a single endless tape is arranged to deal with all the strips across the width of the machine. As the invention is applicable to all three arrangements the term tape sections is used to avoid confusing references to the tapes.

Although tape condensers generally function satisfactorily, it is known that one cause of variation in the counts of different 'slubbings on one condenser bobbin, and variations in the counts between different bobbins is due to uneven dividing and stripping action between the tapes. Since the tapes are flexible, the dividing action, although of the scissors type, is not a sharp cutting action but is rather in the nature of a tearing action. This in itself causes variations in the counts of the slubbings because the tearing effect can cause a greater or less number of fibres to adhere to one tape section than that required for consistent slubbings. Moreover, if one tape section is tighter than its neighbour, it will rob the neighbouring section of some of its proper share of the fibres.

The principal object of this invention is to reduce these variations in the counts of the slubbings which issue from the condenser.

According to this invention a textile tape condenser is provided with a cutter adapted to sever the advancing web into a series of strips in advance of the position at which the tape sections divide the web. Thus the function of severing the web into strips is taken from the tape sections to the cutter. The tape sections then only serve to divide the already separate strips and to transport them to the rubbers.

Whilst many kinds of cutter might be successfully em ployed, the continuous nature of the condensing process, makes it preferable to use a rotating cutter. Preferably the cutter takes the form of a pair of rollers having intersecting rings, and it has been found convenient to use the dividing rollers of the condenser for this purpse. In fact, the dividing rollers of a conventional tape condenser are provided with rings and the rollers are arranged so that each ring on one roller is opposite a groove between two rings on the other rollers. Basically, therefore, it is only required to arrange these two rollers so close to each other that their rings intersect to provide the cutter essential to this invention. In practice it will probably be found that it is also necessary to modify the dividing roller construction somewhat as indicated in the particular constructions hereinafter described if really good results are to be obtained, because it is desirable to apply axial pressure between each adjacent pair of cutters.

The construction, arrangement and manner of operation of a tape condenser will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a tape condenser;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal section through a pair of dividing rollers, and

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, but showing an alternative arrangement.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the condenser here described is of the type in which each tape section comprises a single endless tape 10 which is stretched over one of a pair of taking-in rollers 12 and 14 between a pair of dividing rollers 16 and 18, and upwards or downwards as the case may be to pass over a series of guide rollers 20 which cause the tape to present a vertical rear stretch 22 from which the fibres can be removed by the rubbers (not shown), and then back between the dividing rollers 16 and 18 to its taking-in roller. This is a conventional arrangement which is not midified for the purpose of the invention.

On its return from the guide rollers to the taking-in rollers, each tape passes through a groove in one of the dividing rollers (in fact through the opposite dividing roller to that with which the tape co-operates in forwarding a strip of the divided web). Since the separate tapes (i.e. the tape sections) alternate across the width of the machine, one moving upwardly from the dividing rollers, the next downwardly and so on, it follows that 4 each dividing roller has a series of rings divided by deep circumferential grooves, the rings of one roller being opposite the grooves of the other. For this particular condenser, however, each roller is of a special construction shown in FIGURE 2. Each roller has a central 'tube 24 on which are slidably keyed an end ring element 58 and a series of intermediate ring elements 26. Each such element has a boss 30 with an outside diameter equal to that of the groove bottoms in the conventional roller, and an annular flange 32 with an outside diameter equal to that of a ring in the conventional roller. The annular flange 32 of each element is arranged on one side of the boss (i.e. the boss only projects one one side of the element), and at the flange side a circular recess 34 is formed in the element to receive the boss 30 of another element. The width of each flange 32 is approximately equal to the width of the strips of carded web to be produced by the condenser (i.e. it is approximately equal to the width of a tape). The depth of the recesses in the elements is such that when two elements are pushed together on the shaft, the annular groove 36 which is formed between the two flanges is slightly narrower than the width of a flange.

Near each of its ends, each tube 24 has an internal flange 38 to which is screwed an internal boss 40, in which is fixed a shaft 42. The two shafts 42 are, of

course, axially aligned, and they provide means whereby the roller can be journalled and connected to the condenser driving gear.

A nut 44 is engaged on a screwed portion 46 of each shaft 42, and a compression spring 48 extends between the inner face of this nut, and the outer face of an internal lip on a pressure member 50, so that the pressure member is urged inwardly by the spring. The pressure member itself has a tubular portion 52 (enclosing the spring 48) which is a sliding fit within the bore of the tube 24, and an outwardly extending flange 54 at the opposite end to the internal lip. The flange 54 engages in an annular recess 56 formed in end ring element 58 which is slidably keyed onthe tube 24 and which abuts againstthe adjacent element 26. The flange 54 thereby engages an annular area at the end of adjacent end ring element 58. The arrangement of the nutJ M, spring 48, and pressure member Stlprovides mears whereby axial pressnre can be applied to the ring elements,and the nut 44 also provides means for adjusting this pressure.

The bearings for the dividing roller shaftsAZ are arranged so that the rings o f the two rollers 116 and 18intersect (i.e. the flanges 32 of one roller lie in the grooves v36 of the other roller), the depth of the intersection being about /8 inch. Here it may be mentioned that it is usual to arrange for vertical adjustment of the taking-inrollers to rectify inter-bobbin vari ations in the vslubbing. It is anticipated that the use of,this inventionwill obviate the necessity for such adjustment, althoughprovision may be made for it if desired. ,It will be appreciated that the nuts44 must be slackened to allow the intersection of the rollers, and that when these nuts 44 are tightened each flange 32 is pressed firmly against its neighbours. The ring elements are preferably made of .steel and casehardened.

.No other modification of the condenser is necessary, and when it is in operation,,the'web is cut into strips, each of one tape width by the intersection of the dividing rollers. This takes place immediately in advance of the positionfwhere the tapes cross, so that the Web islalready cut into its separate stripsbefore the dividing action of the tapes takes place. It will be appreciated, therefore, that the tapes have no effect on the quantity of material delivered to each slubbing.

FIGURE 3 shows an alternative arrangement for applying axial pressure to the elements26. In this arrangement, each of'the tubes 24 has a'ring 60 fixed on one end, and an end ring element 62 (which is slidable on the tube in the same manner as the elements 25, but which is thicker than the elementsifi) at its other end.

The two end ring elements 62 are'arranged at opposite .72 into a keyway 78 to prevent rotation of the carrier and disc. A ball bearing 86 is mounted on a peg. 82 fixed within the carrier fit), and the outer race of this bearing is in engagement with the annular end face of the end element 62 at a position which is inaxial alignment with the intersecting portions of the two sets of elements. Pressure is applied to the carrier fill-to press the bearings 89 against the end element 62by a compression spring 83 mounted between the carrier 70 and the disc 72, and a screw 34 is provided for varying the pressure. The screw engages in ascrewed hole in the disc 72, and has a shoulder 86 which bears against the inside face of a fixed end cover $8. .A square portion 90 projecting on the outside of the end cover 88 provides a means whereby the screw 84 can be turned to move the disc 72 inwards or outwards to vary the pressure applied to the carrier 7%) by the spring 'SB.

This alternative arrangement ensures that the nipping action between the two ball bearings. 80 is confined to the areas where the ring elements 26 intersect, so that the difliculty of maintaining the required pressure between all the rings at the points of intersection owing to deflection of the elements is reduced toa minimum.

Instead of using the dividing rollers as the cutting rollers it would be possible to construct the taking-in rollers to perform this operation or even to provide a pair of special rollers for this purpose between the taking-in rollers and the dividing rollers, but these alternatives would necessitate the provision of web supporting means between the cutting rollers and the dividing rollers.

As shown at 92 in FIGURE 3, the cutters may be grooved to reduce wear on the cutters by the tapes.

I claim:

1. In a tape condenser for receiving a moving carded web from a textile carding machine, means for providing a plurality of relatively moving tape sections co-acting at a position along the Web to engage and laterally separate the web into a series ofdifferent strips, with adjacent strips following different paths, a pair of cutter rollers each comprising a support and a series of separate ring element slongitudinally slidably mounted on said support With the ring elements of .the respective cutter, roller being disposed in intersecting relation, each intermediate ring element on both cutter rollers being approximately equal in Width to the width of said strips, pressure members for applying axial pressure to said ring elements of the respective cutter rollers, means cooperatively associating' each said pressure member with the ring elementsof its associated cutter roller for controlling application of said'axial pressure to said ring elements for preventing separation of said ring elements at their areas of intersection comprising means mounting each of said pressure members for slidable movement in a direction parallel to the axes of said cutting rollers, means on each of said pressure members directly engaging the adjacent end ringelement of the associated c utter roller radially outwardlyof the supporttherefor, and means for adjusting the axial pressure of said pressure members in said 1 direction, said pair of cutter rollers thereby providing cutter means operable to sever the moving web into a series of longitudinal strips each corresponding to a tape section, and said cutter means being disposed to sever the web into said strips before said separation by said tape sections.

2. In the tape condenser defined in claim 1, said pressure member being axially movable to apply said axial pressure in axial alignment with the annular areas of intersection of said ring elements.

3. In a tape condenser for receiving a moving carded web from a textile carding machine, means for providing a plurality of relatively moving tape sections co-acting at a position along the web to engage and laterally separate the web into a series of different strips, with adjacent strips following diilerent paths, a pair of cutter rollers each comprising a support and a series of separate ring elements longitudinally slidably mounted on said support with the ring elements of the respective cutter rollers being disposed in intersecting relation, each intermediate ring element on both cutter rollers .being approximately equal in width to the Width of said strips, pressure members for applying axial pressure to said ring elements, each said pressure member comprising a tubular portion fitting closely within a bore within one of said cutter rollers and a flange engaging an annulararea of an ad jacent ring element at the end of said one of saidpair ofcutter rollers, said pair of cutter rollers thereby ,providing cutter means operable to sever the moving web into a series of longitudinal strips each corresponding to a tape section, and said cutter means being disposed to sever the web into said strips before said separation by said tape sections.

4. In a. tape condenser for. receiving a rnoying carded web from a textile carding machine, means for providing a plurality of relatively moving tape sections co-acting at a position along the web to engageand laterally separate the web into a series of different strips, with adjacent strips following diiterent paths, a pair of cutterrollers each comprising a support and series of separate ring elements longitudinally slidably mounted on said support with the ring elements of the respective cutter rollers being disposed intersecting relation, each intermediate ring element on both cutter rollers being approximately equal in width to the width of saidstrips, pressure mem bers for applying axial pressure to said ring elements, each said pressure member comprising a tubular portion fitting closely within a bore of one of said cutter rollers and a flange engaging an annular area of an adjacent ring element at the end of said one of said pair of cutter rollers, said support having a threaded end portion, a nut engageable on each said threaded support portion, and a compression spring between each said nut and its associated pressure member, said pair of cutter rollers thereby providing cutter means operable to sever the moving web into a series of longitudinal strips each corresponding to a tape section, and said cutter means being disposed to sever the web into said strips before said separation by said tape sections.

5. In a tape condenser for receiving a moving carded web from a textile carding machine, means for providing a plurality of relatively moving tape sections co-acting at a position along the web to engage and laterally separate the web into a series of different strips, with adjacent strips following difierent paths, a pair of cutter rollers each comprising a support and a series of separate ring elements longitudinally slidably mounted on said support with the ring elements of the respective cutter rollers being disposed in intersecting relation, each intermediate ring element on both cutter rollers being approximately equal in width to the Width of said strips, means for applying axial pressure to said ring elements comprising a pressure member axially slidably mounted with respect to the cutter rollers, and a freely rotatable roller on said pressure member directly engaging an adjacent ring element at the end of one of said cutter rollers in axial alignment with the areas of intersection of said ring elements, said pair of cutter rollers thereby providing cutter means operable to sever the moving web into a series of longitudinal strips each corresponding to atape section, and said cutter means being disposed to sever the Web into said strips before said separation by said tape sections.

6. In a tape condenser for receiving a moving carded web from a textile carding machine, means providing a plurality of relatively moving tape sections co-acting at a position along the web to engage and laterally separate the web into a series of different strips, with adjacent strips following different paths, a pair of cutter rollers each comprising a support and a series of separate ring elements longitudinally slidably mounted on said support with the ring elements of the respective cutter rollers being disposed in intersecting relation, and each intermediate ring element on both cutter rollers being approximately equal in width to the width of said strips, means for applying axial pressure to said ring elements comprising a pressure member axially slidably mounted with respect to the cutter rollers, a freely rotatable roller on said pressure member directly engaging an adjacent ring element at the end of one of said cutter rollers in axial alignment with the areas of intersection of said ring elements, and means for applying resilient axial pressure to said pressure member, said pair of cutter rollers thereby providing cutter means operable to sever the moving web into a series of longitudinal strips each corresponding to a tape section, and said cutter means being disposed to sever the web into said strips before said separation by said tape sections.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 126,439 5/72 Bede 19-151 616,946 1/99 Lejeune 19-151 FOREIGN PATENTS 10,3 07 7/ 80 Germany.

2,610 of/ 88 Great Britain. 22,3 5 7 of/O9 Great Britain. 332,123 11/35 Italy.

DONALD W. PARKER, Primary Examiner.

RUSSELL C. MADER, Examiner. 

1. IN A TAPE CONDENSER FOR RECEIVING A MOVING CARDED WEB FROM A TEXTILE CARDING MACHINE, MEANS FOR PROVIDING A PLURALITY OF RELATIVELY MOVING TAPE SECTIONS CO-ACTING AT A POSITION ALONG THE WEB TO ENGAGE AND LATERALLY SEPARATE THE WEB INTO A SERIES OF DIFFERENT STRIPS, WITH ADJACENT STRIPS FOLLOWING DIFFERENT PATHS, A PAIR OF CUTTER ROLLERS EACH COMPRISING A SUPPORT AND A SERIES OF SEPARATE RING ELEMENTS LONGITUDINALLY SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT WITH THE RING ELEMENTS OF THE RESPECTIVE CUTTER ROLLER BEING DISPOSED IN INTERSECTING RELATION, EACH INTERMEDIATE RING ELEMENT TO BOTH CUTTER ROLLERS BEING APPROXIMATELY EQUAL IN WIDTH TO THE WIDTH OF SAID STRIPS, PRESSURE MEMBERS FOR APPLYING AXIAL PRESSURE TO SAID RING ELEMENTS OF THE RESPECTIVE CUTTER ROLLERS, MEANS COOPERATIVELY ASSOCIATING EACH SAID PRESSURE MEMBER WITH THE REING ELEMENTS OF ITS ASSOCIATED CUTTER ROLLER FOR CONTROLLING APPLICATION OF SAID AXIAL PRESSURE TO SAID RING ELEMENTS FOR PREVENTING SEPARATON OF SAID RING ELEMENTS AT THEIR AREAS OF INTERSECTION COMPRISING MEANS MOUNTING EACH OF SAID PRESSURE MEMBERS FOR SLIDABLY MOVEMENT IN A DIRECTION PARALLEL TO THE AXES OF SAID CUTTING ROLLERS, MEANS ON EACH 